| Microsoft, the software giant has introduced the | | | | processors. Recently, Intel has announced that its |
| virtualized version of Windows XP called "XP Mode" | | | | Virtualization Technology introduced in 2005 has got |
| formerly called Virtual Windows XP, through which | | | | its usage in over 100 million chips. Therefore, its VT |
| Windows 7 users can run programs that are not | | | | enable CPUs will support all the versions of Windows |
| compatible with the new operating system. The new | | | | 7. Also, the majority of AMD’s processors like |
| software will be a feature of Windows 7 | | | | Phenom, Phenom II, Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 X2 |
| Professional, Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate, and | | | | chips of the F and G families come with AMD-V |
| it has hit Release To Manufacturing (RTM) status. | | | | technology and will support the XP mode. |
| The initiative of XP mode was announced by | | | | At its core, XP Mode consists of two things, the |
| Microsoft back in April. | | | | Virtual PC-based virtual environment and a fully |
| The company has finalized the code for the | | | | licensed copy of Windows XP with Service Pack 3 |
| software and it will be made available on October | | | | (SP3). The new technology will have to download |
| 22nd for free download, the same day it will launch | | | | from the company’s website; hence it will be not |
| Windows 7 operating system. Also, various PC | | | | included in the Windows 7 pack. |
| vendors will bundle the Windows XP Mode with their | | | | Benefits of the XP mode |
| systems. According to the company, the Windows | | | | XP mode does not require user to run the virtual |
| XP Mode is specifically designed to help small | | | | environment as a separate Windows desktop |
| businesses move to Windows 7, as it offers users to | | | | because the software will be installed in the device |
| run many older productivity applications on a | | | | and its shortcut will display in the start menu, users |
| Windows 7 based PC. | | | | can run old applications like Internet Explorer 6 along |
| Key features of the Windows XP Mode | | | | with Windows 7 applications under a single desktop. |
| The Redmond based giant has introduced various | | | | According to the company, the XP mode provides |
| new features in the software. It will offer easy to | | | | great convenience to corporate users, who can |
| use set-up, provides one click launch of Windows XP | | | | direct the technology through standard Microsoft |
| Mode applications and has USB support. However, the | | | | administration and management technologies like |
| consumer must have a machine that features the | | | | Active Directory and Group Policy. |
| virtualization chip support. Meanwhile, the XP mode is | | | | Microsoft has also permitted its prospective owners |
| not Hyper-V (Microsoft's server-side virtualization | | | | of Windows 7 to downgrade the software to Vista, |
| platform) for the client, instead it is a host-based | | | | Windows XP or all the way back to Windows 95, |
| virtualization solution like Virtual PC. | | | | with a downgrade licence. However, the company |
| The new technology is based on the much hyped | | | | expects with the XP mode, Windows 7 will have |
| Microsoft Virtual PC 7 product line, which requires | | | | almost 100 percent compatibility with all currently |
| compatibility from virtual technology enabled | | | | running Windows applications. |